[Flaimee]

I'm 39 years old and have been a type 1 diabetic for 13 years. I have recently started having pulled muscles and I am very confused because I haven't pulled a muscle since I was in junior high. I first pulled a thigh muscle and it was getting better and I was awoke in the night with a sudden and sharp pain from my hip, to the inside of my thigh, to my knee. I had changed positions and the intense pain had me crying for about 1/2 an hour. Then my thumb has become very sore and now an elbow is hurting if I straighten my arm. I have become very sleepy and it doesn't seem like anything will keep me up. I have had symptoms that I have noticed separately but not until my muscles have become so sore have I even thought about the various symptoms. I am a very busy person and I don't focus on every little symptom. I recently had a severe stomach virus and it really wore my body out. Besides the sore muscles and fatique, I have also had some numbness in my legs, when I get cold, the skin on my legs feels like it is just gonna rip if I bend my legs or touch my skin. My vision is blurry at times and I recently had to get bifocals. Can anyone explain what I am feeling and help me?

[Barberian]

I'm definatly no expert, but when I was at my worst with #'s in the 300's I had unexplained muscle pain. When I would do some lifting, even light lifting when I was done it felt like I just got done trying to qualify for the Olympics. I'd be sore for days after. I'd be very prone to cramping in those mucles for days too.

Are you in good control of your diabetes? What are your #'s. Have you had any recent lab work to check all the various #'s? Are you gaining or losing weight? The more info you give, the easier it is for people to give advice.

[Flaimee]

I am on an insulin pump and can be very brittle. I am usually in the 200s and feel the most comfortable at that level. My muscles aren't sore like I've exercised, they are hurting like I've pulled them. My leg hurts with various motions and it goes from my hip across the top of my thigh and down to my knee. I also forgot to mention that I retain water very easily when I sit and work on paperwork.

[Flaimee]

I forgot to answer the weight gain question. I have gained weight over the past 2 months. The weight gain fluctuates due to if I am retaining water or not. On average, I have gained 10 overwhelming pounds.

[drummingfool]

There is, I believe, a relatively simple explanation here:

When levels are high (high being above 150 to 160 ish), your body begins to dehydrate. The main source of hydration to your muscles is potassium. When you dont get enough potassium, your muscles will begin to cramp and become more easily injured. You should probably either get your potassium levels checked or just start taking a potassium supplement daily. I know it helped me in the past!

[Scratch]

Well it's not good if you feel most comfortable in the 200s.

What are you A1c's like?

But I think you've got worse than pulled muscles in your future if you don't start bringing your blood sugars down.

[Mich]

Any time I am over 160, I feel exactly as you discribe. People say at those times that I get out of a chair like my dad, who is 28years older than me.

When I was young, and diabetes knowledge was in its infancy, they called me a brittle diabetic, which meant hard to control. I can jump all over the map blood-sugar wise and in a very short period with no obvious cause.

I believe I still am "brittle" for several reasons (one is occasional gastroparesis) and have to both eat low carb and test constantly to avoid going high, even with the amazing help of a pump. I don't particularly like the term "brittle", but it does discribe a problem that I still have.

Recently, Richard157 posted a diabetes resouce site and I was surprised to see the term "brittle" used there. It has pretty much gone out of fashion, but unfortunately for those of us who have this problem, it's very real and unpredictable. There was a note on Richard's page that said research is showing that people who are "brittle" are more women than men. It also said it is being found that brittle diabetics have a more pronounced reaction to stress. This is an observation I have made about myself many times.

I'm keeping my eye on the research, but I am thinking that if you keep your sugar lower (100-140) for a while, your muscles and tendons will feel better.

One other pain problem. When you first get a pump and get into better control, some of your nerves hurt for a while as they become healthier. But it's a good hurt when you know what it is

Justl my opinion, of course,

Mich

[yannah]

You need to see a doctor in my opinion. It could be a circulatory issue, IMHO. It could be nerve damage. Or it could be something simple.